U.S. patent number 5,626,394 [Application Number 08/484,657] was granted by the patent office on 1997-05-06 for tubular chair frame.
Invention is credited to Charles O. Perry.
United States Patent |
5,626,394 |
Perry |
May 6, 1997 |
Tubular chair frame
Abstract
A flexible chair frame includes symmetrical sides having at
least a first crossbar affixed between the rear portions of the
sides at seat level. The seat bottom portion of each side is angled
upwardly near its end and includes a stacking insert with a tab
extending therefrom and a second crossbar coupled between
respective stacking inserts. A third crossbar is coupled between
the rear portions and may include an arm portion. The chairs may be
stacked such that the first crossbar of one chair rests on the
stacking inserts of the chair below, regardless of whether arm
portions are included on the third crossbar.
Inventors: |
Perry; Charles O. (Norwalk,
CT) |
Family
ID: |
23925055 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/484,657 |
Filed: |
June 7, 1995 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/448.2;
297/239; 297/440.24; 297/446.2; 297/452.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
3/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
3/04 (20060101); A47C 3/00 (20060101); A47C
001/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;297/440.24,440.14,440.1,440.16,440.17,440.18,440.19,440.2,440.21,440.23,445,446 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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632397 |
|
Dec 1961 |
|
CA |
|
1249503 |
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Jan 1989 |
|
CA |
|
610741 |
|
Oct 1948 |
|
GB |
|
754209 |
|
Aug 1956 |
|
GB |
|
Other References
Copy of marketing brochure by Krueger International entitled "Perry
Seating" dated 1992..
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Primary Examiner: Nelson, Jr.; Milton
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Limbach & Limbach, LLP
Claims
I claim:
1. A chair frame, comprising:
a pair of support legs one at each side, each support leg
comprising a contiguous arrangement beginning with a resilient back
leg portion oriented substantially vertically, then to a bottom leg
portion extending horizontally along a floor surface, then to a
front leg portion extending upwardly from the bottom leg portion,
and then to a seat bottom portion extending rearwardly then turning
upwardly at an acute angle to an end thereof;
a first crossbar coupled between the ends of the seat bottom
portions;
a pair of stacking inserts coupled proximate to the ends of the
seat bottom portions, each stacking insert having a tab extending
forwardly therefrom;
a second crossbar coupled between the back leg portions at a
location which is below but proximate to the stacking inserts;
and
a third crossbar coupled between the ends of the back leg
portions.
2. A chair frame as in claim 1, wherein the third crossbar includes
arms extending forwardly therefrom on each side.
3. A high density stack of chairs, comprising a plurality of first
chairs stacked in random order with a plurality of second chairs in
nested overlapping relation, wherein each first chair and each
second chair are substantially identical except that each first
chair is an armchair and each second chair is a non-arm chair, and
wherein the distance between adjacent chairs in the stack is
substantially the same.
4. A high density stack of chairs as in claim 3, wherein each first
chair comprises:
a first pair of support legs one at each side, each support leg
comprising a contiguous arrangement beginning with a resilient back
leg portion oriented substantially vertically, then to a bottom leg
portion extending horizontally, then to a front leg portion
extending upwardly from the bottom leg portion, and then to a seat
bottom portion extending rearwardly then turning upwardly at an
acute angle to an end thereof;
a first crossbar coupled between the ends of the first seat bottom
portions;
a first pair of stacking inserts coupled proximate to the ends of
the first seat bottom portions, each first stacking insert having a
tab extending forwardly therefrom;
a second crossbar coupled between the first back leg portions at a
location which is below but proximate to the first pair of stacking
inserts and which will rest on tabs extending from stacking inserts
on another chair positioned immediately below the first chair;
and
a third crossbar coupled between the ends of the first back leg
portions, said third crossbar including arms extending forwardly
therefrom on each side;
and wherein each second chair comprises:
a second pair of support legs one at each side, each support leg
comprising a contiguous arrangement beginning with a resilient back
leg portion oriented substantially vertically, then to a bottom leg
portion extending horizontally, then to a front leg portion
extending upwardly from the bottom leg portion, and then to a seat
bottom portion extending rearwardly then turning upwardly at an
acute angle to an end thereof;
a fourth crossbar coupled between the ends of the second seat
bottom portions;
a second pair of stacking inserts coupled proximate to the ends of
the second pair of seat bottom portions, each second stacking
insert having a tab extending forwardly therefrom;
a fifth crossbar coupled between the second back leg portions at a
location which is below but proximate to the second stacking
inserts and which will rest on tabs extending from stacking inserts
on another chair positioned immediately below the second chair;
and
a sixth crossbar coupled between the ends of the second back leg
portions.
5. A high density stack of chairs as in claim 3, each chair
comprising
a frame having symmetrically disposed side frame members, each side
frame member having a back leg portion oriented substantially
vertical and contiguous with a bottom leg portion oriented
substantially horizontal and contiguous with a front leg portion
oriented substantially vertical and contiguous with a seat bottom
portion oriented substantially horizontal,
a seat having a front and a rear and coupled to the seat bottom
portions of the frame such that the seat bottom portions extend
beyond the rear of the seat,
a back having an upper back portion coupled to the back leg
portions of the frame and a lower back portion coupled to the seat
bottom portions of the frame which extend beyond the rear of the
seat, and
a pair of stacking tabs extending forwardly from the frame just
above the rear of the seat.
6. A high density stack of chairs as in claim 5, wherein the frame
further comprises a first crossbar coupled between the seat bottom
portions which extend beyond the rear of the seat, wherein the
lower back portion of the back is coupled to the first crossbar and
wherein the stacking tabs are positioned proximate to the first
crossbar and oriented to receive by contact a similar crossbar on a
similar chair stacked above.
7. A high density stack of chairs as in claim 5, further comprising
a pair of arms extending forwardly from either side of the
frame.
8. A chair, comprising:
a frame having symmetrically disposed side frame members, each side
frame member having a back leg portion oriented substantially
vertical and contiguous with a bottom leg portion oriented
substantially horizontal and contiguous with a front leg portion
oriented substantially vertical and contiguous with a seat bottom
portion oriented substantially horizontal,
a seat having a front and a rear and coupled to the seat bottom
portions of the frame such that the seat bottoms portions extend
beyond the rear of the seat,
a back having an upper back portion coupled to the back leg
portions of the frame and a lower back portion coupled to the seat
bottom portions of the frame which extend beyond the rear of the
seat, and
a pair of stacking tabs extending forwardly from the frame just
above the rear of the seat.
9. A chair as in claim 8, further comprising a first crossbar
coupled between the seat bottom portions which extend beyond the
rear of the seat, and wherein the stacking tabs are positioned to
contact the first crossbar on a similar chair stacked on top of the
chair.
10. A chair as in claim 8, further comprising a second crossbar
coupled to the back leg portion and having arms extending forwardly
on either side of the frame.
Description
BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a flexible chair which is capable of high
density stacking for storage and transport. The use of low-cost,
stacking chairs is well-known. Such chairs are usually not designed
for comfort or ergonomics, but instead, are designed simply to
provide a large quantity of temporary seats for occasional use
which can be efficiently stored and take up minimal storage space.
Typically, a dolly is used to hold and transport the chairs which
are stacked as densely as possible. Such chairs may have some
limited flexibility, but typically provide no ergonomic
benefits.
I have previously disclosed a high density stacking chair in my
U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,712. This chair provides exceptional comfort
with high stacking density by using a flexible frame which flexes
to permit partial reclining of the chair back while at the same
time applying lumbar pressure to the user's low back. One version
of this chair is commercially available as the Perry Chair,
manufactured by the Krueger International Company of Green Bay,
Wis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A flexible chair frame is constructed from resilient tubular
material and includes symmetrical sides having at least a first
crossbar affixed between the rear portions of the sides at seat
level. The seat bottom portion of each side is angled upwardly near
its end and includes a stacking insert with a tab extending
therefrom and a second crossbar coupled between respective stacking
inserts. A third crossbar is coupled between the rear portions. The
third crossbar may include an arm portion.
The chairs may be stacked such that the first crossbar of one chair
rests on the stacking inserts of the chair below, regardless of
whether arm portions are included on the third crossbar.
A better understanding of the features and advantages of the
present invention will be obtained by reference to the following
detailed description of the invention and accompanying drawings
which set forth an illustrative embodiment in which the principles
of the invention are utilized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tubular chair frame.
FIG. 2 a detailed illustration of a portion of the chair of FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 illustrates the crossbar insert portion of the chair of FIG.
1.
FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate the connection of the crossbar and
insert to the chair frame.
FIG. 5 is a detailed illustration of the arm crossbar portion of
the chair of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a stack of chairs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. 1, the basic frame 10 for my chair is a
symmetrical structure of hollow steel rod including rear portions
12 and 13, floor portions 14 and 15, front portions 16 and 17, seat
portions 18 and 19, and crossbar 20. A second crossbar 22 is
affixed between rear portions 12 and 13, and a third crossbar 23 is
affixed between front portions 16 and 17, for example by weldment.
A pair of straps 24 and 25 are affixed between seat portions 18 and
19 by weldment for supporting and attaching the seat bottom (70). A
pair of stacking registers 26 and 27 are coupled between the
crossbar 20 and the seat portions 18 and 19, respectively.
There are two completely interchangeable crossbar portions 30a and
30b, either one of which will couple to the rear portions 12 and
13. The crossbar portion 30a is used for chairs where an arm is
desired, and the crossbar portion 30b is used for chairs where no
arm is desired.
The frame 10 is preferably constructed from 3/4 inch diameter
stainless steel tubing, except for the straps 24 and 25, which are
flat stock steel, and the stacking registers 26 and 27.
Each side of the frame 10, namely rear portion 12, floor portion
14, front portion 16, and seat portion 18 forming one side and rear
portion 13, floor portion 15, front portion 17, and seat portion 19
forming the other side, is preferably a single continuous piece of
tubing, but may also be segmented and butt welded or otherwise
connected, as is fully disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No.
5,383,712, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4, the coupling between the
crossbar 20 and seat portions 18 and 19 is illustrated in more
detail. The stacking registers 26 and 27 are inserts which receive
the crossbar 20 into one end and then plug into the seat portions
18 and 19, respectively, where they and the crossbar may be further
secured by weldment, for example.
Each insert is an oval-shaped piece of metal or plastic measuring
approximately 1 and 1/8 inches in length L by 3/4 inches in width W
with a thickness of 3/32 inches, with an additional tab 31
extending from one side of the insert. A first opening 32 measuring
approximately 5/8 inches in diameter is provided for inserting the
crossbar 20 therethrough. The crossbar 20 is narrowed at this point
to have a 5/8 inch outside diameter and a 1/2 inch inside diameter
at its ends to facilitate coupling. A second opening 34 is
advantageously provided to permit a standard snap to be employed
with a snap-on seat cushion.
The tab 31 is bent over at a right angle, as shown in FIG. 4a, then
the inserts 26 and 27 are positioned relative to seat portions 18
and 19, respectively and crossbar 20 is inserted into the seat
portions through the inserts. A plug weld 36 may then be made
through the slot 38 in seat portion 18 to secure both the insert 26
and the crossbar 20 to the seat portion.
A detailed illustration of the arm chair crossbar 30a is shown in
FIG. 5. The crossbar 30aincludes a rear section 40 which has a 1/2
inch radius turn R.sub.1 at each end thereof, each end being welded
to an arm section 42 (arm section 43 is shown in FIG. 1). The arm
section 42 is coupled to the rear portion 12, preferably by a short
insert piece 44, which may be butt welded at either end. The arm
section 42 angles upward and outward from the side of the chair at
a 3/4 inch radius R.sub.2, then turns forward at a 90 degree radius
R.sub.3. The arm section 42 is preferably covered with plastic or
neoprene foam for comfort.
The non-arm crossbar 30b is shown in FIG. 1, and is a single piece
of tubing having 90 degree turns at each end which insert into the
rear portions 12 and 13, respectively, of the frame 10.
A seat back (72) preferably encloses crossbar 20 and crossbar 30a
or 30b to provide pivoting action in the manner disclosed in my
prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,712, although other attachment methods
may also be used.
A stack 50 of chairs constructed according to the present invention
is shown in FIG. 6. The bottom chair 52, middle chair 56, and top
chair 60 include arm crossbars 30a.sub.1, 30a.sub.3, and 30a.sub.5,
respectively, while the intermediate chairs 54 and 58 include
non-arm crossbars 30b.sub.2 and 30b.sub.4, respectively. The chairs
are able to stack interchangeably without regard to arms or lack
thereof. The crossbar 20 of each chair rests on the stacking
registers 26 and 27 of the chair below. Advantageously, a bumper 62
may be provided under the front of the seat bottom to give
additional stability to the stack.
It should be understood that the invention is not intended to be
limited by the specifics of the above-described embodiment, but
rather defined by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *